Chennai, Sep 8 (IANS): With inbound flights and passengers going up and to avoid crowding, the number of immigration counters at the Chennai International Airport will go up from Thursday onwards, a senior official said.

"We had discussed the issue with the immigration officials. They have agreed to increase the number of counters for faster clearance of passengers," the official, who did not want to be named, told IANS.

According to him, international flights land at night time. About 6-7 flights might land around the same time and out of that, 4-5 flights will have about 200 passengers each.

Adding to the problem would be the delayed flights.

"After travelling for over five hours, it is natural for passengers to get out of the airport at the earliest. We have asked the Immigration Department to increase the number of counters and they have also agreed," the official said.

He agreed that on Wednesday morning, there was a problem of crowding as two flights landed around the same time resulting in non-maintenance of social distancing norms.

It takes atleast two minutes for the immigration official to clear a passenger after verifying the passport.

According to the airport official, from Thursday onwards, there will be a marked difference.

The official said though there are markings on the floor so that passengers maintain a safe social distance, but when the place is crowded, it becomes difficult to do so.

The airport official also advised outbound passengers to reach the airport about five hours before the departure time so that all Covid-19 related formalities are completed smoothly.